Connection for steam-engines



2 .Sheets-Sheet 1.

(IIojlllodel.) v 0.`F. LITTLAEJ OHN.

GONNBGTIONFOR STEAM ENGINES. No. 490,852. A Patenu'ed Jan. 31,1893.`

.ml g @W50 Iltou W/TNESSES:

' @Y4 c i' f UNITED STATES CHARLES F. LITTLEJOI-IN,` OF

PATENT OFFICE.

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTION -FOR STEAM-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,852, dated January31, 1893.

Application led March 21, 1892.-

This invention relates to certain new and-A useful improvements inconnections for steam engines, but more particularly is it designed as ameans for transmitting the motive power for Steamers and yachts where itis desirable that the weight of the motor should be placed as low aspossible and where space is important; and with these ends in view myinvention consists and resides in the construction and combination ofelements hereinafter fully to be explained and then recited in theclaims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention appertainsmayfully understand its construction and method of operation, I willdescribe the same in detail, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of this specifica*- tion, and in which,

Figure 1, is a plan view, Fig. 2, aV side elevation,-Fig. 3,a transversesection on the line -w of Fig. 1, Fig. 4, a vertical section on the linez-z of Fig. 1, Fig. 5, a longitudinal section on the line Lu-w of Fig.1, and Fig. 6, a section on the line y-y of Fig. 1.

The same numerals and letters denote the same parts in each of thefigures. l

The main shaft, which, in a steamer, supports and drives the propeller,is denoted by 1, and this shaft is hung in bearings 2 which are suitablyarranged.

3 is the main driving crank.

In the drawings I show a compound steam engine consisting of twocylinders 4 and 5 of high and low pressure respectively and connected intandem. Each of these has a steam chest 6 containing the valve 7, asshown at Fig. 5. The valve in each of these steam chests is preferablyof the construction, and operated by the means, which are shown anddescribed in a certain application for Letters Patent for improvement invalve gears tiled Serial No. 425.739. (No model.)

by me on even date herewith Serial No.425,740. As in this engine it isapplied in substantially the same manner as in the above mentionedapplication, further description is unnecessary. The two cylinders justdescribed drivethe piston rod 8 upon whose'end is a cross head Q'hayingtherein a slide way transverseto the length of the piston rod, as iscontains the pivotally connected ends of two levers 10 and 11, the boltconnection between them being designatedby the numeral 12, as alsoappears at Fig. 4. In the top and bottom sides of the cross head 9 areformed grooves 13 into which are fitted upper and lower ways 14 and 15for the guidance and support of said cross head. As is shown at Fig. 1,the outer end of the lever 10 is fulcrumed to the bed of the machine,which in each of the larger figures is designated by the letter A. Theouter end of the lever 11 is fulcrumed by means of a pivotal connection16 to a sliding head 17 whose inner side is gibbed to and adapted toslide ona way 18. To this part 17 is connected the driving pitman 19whose outer end operates the crank 3 on the main shaft 1. By thereciprocatory movement of the piston rod 8 the cross head 9 receives alongitudinal movement in its bearings 14, 15, and in a straight line.VVhenthe outward movement of this cross head occurs it of course tendsto straighten' the levers 10 and 11. It the outer ends of both of thesewere free to move they would separate after the manner of an ordinaryknuckle joint, but as the outer end of the lever 10 is incapable ofmovement except about its fulcrum, the head 17 is moved along its way,and the joint between the two levers moves slightly in its bearing inthe cross head 9. The back and forth movement of the head 17 through thepitman 19 imparts rotative movement to the shaft 1.

By the arrangement of the parts herein shown and described, not only isa motor produced which has no upwardly projecting parts and is thereforeparticularly adapted to be placed in the hold of a vessel or launch, butthe movement of the piston is parallel with the line of the main shaftand therefore with the length of the vessel, and this is important as itgreatly reduces the vibration. Furthermore the interposition of thelevers 10 and 11 shown in the section Fig. 4. This slide way apply thepower very advantageously to the shaft.

I do not wish to be confined to the precise arrangement of parts hereinshown and described, sinee these may be combined in various other -WaysWithout departing from the spirit and aim of my invention as set forthin the claims.

I have shown two cylinders in a certain specific arrangement andprovided with a special form of valve gear hereinbefore referred to, butthese are not essential to my invention, and other forms maybesubstituted in their place.

I claim,

1. The combination With the piston rod, of the guided cross head havingtherein atransl verse slide Way, the levers l0 and Il fulcru medtogether and guided in the cross head, a sliding head 17 operated atright angles to the length of the piston by one of said levers, and

a pitman connecting said head to the main shaft crank, the Wholearranged as described and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with the piston rod and means for driving the same,of the cross head 9 guided in Ways in the line of the piston stroke andhaving a transverse slide Way arranged therein, the lever 10 fulcrumedto the base, the lever l1 fulcrumed to the lever l0, and the jointarranged to have movement in the cross head, the slide head 17 carriedby the lever Il, and the pitman I9 whereby the main shaft is driven,thewhole arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES F. LITTLEJOHN.

Witnesses:

S. H. HUBBARD, A. J. TANNER.

